Link separator

ABSTRACT

A link separator for severing a continuous link or chain of frankfurters or similar articles at successive joining segments comprising a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, contra-rotating driven feed wheels engageable with and defining a generally axial path along which the chain is fed, the feed wheels each being resiliently deflectable normal to the path of movement of the chain, a photocell and opposed light source on the emergent side of the feed wheels, the chain passing therebetween, a cutting station proximal to the photocell, a relatively thin knife rotatable in a plane generally perpendicular to and extending through the longitudinal axis of each successive joining segment, drive and control means for the knife whereby the knife rotates through a fixed arc only once for each joining segment, the control means being governed by a signal from the photocell generated by the presence of a joining segment, the rotation of the knife being timed to sever each successive joining segment, and a pair of spaced apart, power driven, contra-rotating discharge wheels on the emergent side of the cutting station mutually engageable with each severed frankfurter, the discharge wheel on the side of each frankfurter opposite the direction of movement of the knife being resiliently deflectable generally normal to the path of movement of the frankfurters, the other discharge wheel being undeflectable.

United States Patent Berendt et al.

[ 51 May 2,1972

[54] LINK SEPARATOR [22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1970 [2]] Appl.No.: 93,991

Related US. Application Data {63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 846,042, July 30,

[52] U.S.Cl ..17/1 F, 17/49 [51] Int. Cl ..A22c 11/00 [58] Field olSearch ..l7/1 F [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,545,035 12/1970 Piereder ..l7/l F 3,156,006 ll/l964 Gouba..... ....l7/1F 2,670,498 3/1954 Mosby 17/1 F 3,377,897 4/1968 Ramsey et al ..83/365 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 856,082 12/1960 Great Britain ..20 A/ Primary ExaminerAldrich F. Medbery Assistant Examiner-J. F. Pitrelli I Att0mey-Popper, Bain, Bobis & Gilfillan [5 7] ABSTRACT A link separator for severing a continuous link or chain of frankfurters or similar articles at successive joining segments comprising a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, contra-rotating driven feed wheels engageable with and defining a generally axial path along which the chain is fed, the feed wheels each being resiliently deflectable normal to the path of movement of the chain, a photocell and opposed light source on the emergent side of the feed wheels, the chain passing therebetween, a cutting station proximal to the photocell, a relatively thin knife rotatable in a plane generally perpendicular to and extending through the longitudinal axis of each successive joining segment, drive and control means for the knife whereby the knife rotates through a fixed are only once for each joining segment, the control means being governed by a signal from the photocell generated by the presence of a joining segment, the rotation of the knife being timed to sever each successive joining segment, and a pair of spaced apart, power driven, contra-rotating discharge wheels on the emergent side of the cutting station mutually engageable with each severed frankfurter, the discharge wheel on the side of each frankfurter opposite the direction of movement of the knife being resiliently deflectable generally normal to the path of movement of the frankfurters, the other discharge wheel being undeflectable.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMM 2 I972 SHEET 4 [IF 5 FIG. 5

PATENTEUMAY 2 I972 3, 659, 3 l 6 SHEET 50F 5 FIG. 6

LINK SEPARATOR CROSS REFERENCES This is a continuation-in-part of our U.S. Pat. application,

I Ser. No. 846,042 filed July 30, I969 for a link separator.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION problems must be solved. The principal problem involves the proper timing of the severing means, usually a knife, with the passage of successive joining segments. Complicating this problem is the fact that there are relatively wide variations in the length of individual frankfurters as well as the length of joining segments even within a given chain. Thus, the knife cannot be operated on a fixed, time base. Rather, means must be provided to detect the presence of each successive joining segment at a cutting station whereby the cutting knife may be actuated in timed relationship to movement of the chain to sever each joining segment.

In order to be commercially productive, the chain must move through automatic machinery relatively rapidly. This in turn makes the speed of operation of the knife and its timed relationship tothe movement of the frankfurters quite critical. In addition, the knife must move with sufficient speed and momentum to cleanly sever joining segments without interfering with the forward progression of thechain.

Because of critical time relationships, it is advantageous to extend the joining segments to their fullest. Thus, means must be provided to insure maximum separation of individual, adjacent frankfurters thereby extending the joiningsegment to its fullest.

An excessively long joining segment also generates problems. If the knife is triggered by the presence of a joining segment, it is likely to continue rotation after once having severed the joining segment therebycausing dissynchronization andprobable severence of a portion of the frankfurter itself.;Thus, means must be provided to permit the knife only one movement through each joining segment irrespective of the length of the segment.

In our copending U.S. Patent application, Ser. No. 846,042 a link separator has been disclosed which is quite satisfactory for most operations. In that link separator, successive joining segments are detected by a deflectable mechanical finger which feels the top edge of each frankfurter and drops downwardly under the influence of gravity upon the passage ofjoining segments.

Nevertheless, certain aberrations in the shape of the frankfurter or its joining segment can cause malfunction. For instance, frankfurter links are cured by draping them over smoke sticks or racks. If the frankfurter itself is laid over a smoke stick it will be deformed by a substantial indentation. If this indentation is oriented to engage a mechanical finger, the knife will beactuated in dissynchronization with the presence of a joining segment thereby severing the frankfurter.

In addition, when frankfurters are hung over a smoke stick at the joining segment, the ends of the frankfurters joined by that segment may be misshapened to the extent that the connecting segment lies substantially to one side of the axis of each of the frankfurters. In the event that such a segment lies at the top of the frankfurter immediately adjacent to the mechanical finger, the finger will not drop and therefore the knife will not rotate to sever that segment.

The use of natural or sheep casing for frankfurters or the like also involve certain problems. Synthetic casings may be fabricated with relatively constant dimensions. However,

natural sheep casings vary significantly in diameter from end to end of the casing. In addition, there are wide variations from casing to casing. The principle of the feeler finger-is that it will drop a significant distance at the joining segment. However, if the basic diameter of frankfurters either within a given chain or from chain to chain varies significantly, the finger, once set may drop below the threshold necessary to actuate the knife thereby severing a frankfurter intermediate its ends rather than at a joining segment. Altemately, if the finger were set for the minimum thickness expected, some, relatively thick frankfurters might notbe severed at all since the position of the joining segment is at least partially a' function of the diameter of the frankfurter.

Notwithstanding variations in thickness of'the frankfurter or dislocations in joining segments or indentations in certain members of a chain, joining segments are unalterably significantly thinner than the adjacent frankfurter. Thus, the extent of light interruption by a joining segment is substantially independent of its particular location. In addition, even the' greatest indentations or deformations in given frankfurters or variations in diameter are insignificant in light interruption as compared to a joining segment. Therefore, it has been found that a photocell and light source detection system is more malfunction-free than a mechanical feeler.

Therefore, it is among the objects and advantages of the present invention to provide a link separator which can discriminate between frankfurters and joining segments irrespective of wide variations in the shape and dimension of the frankfurter as well as the position of the joining segment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a link separator which is automatic, high speed and relatively inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION the articles, a photocell and opposed light source proximal to the severing station on the emergent side of the feeding means, an elongated knife at the cutting station rotatable in a plane generally perpendicular to and extending through each successive joining segment, drive means for the knife, control means for the drive means actuated in response to a signal from the photocell, the control means generating only one rotation of the knife for each joining segment through a constant, fixed arc, the response of the knife being timed to the axial velocity of the articles to severe the chain at each joining segment and means for discharging severed articles from the severing station. 1 I I PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF INVENTION The objects and advantages aforesaid as well as other objects and advantages may be achieved by the link separator claimed herein, a preferred embodiment of which is illustrated in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the link separator;

FIG. 2 is aside elevational, cross-sectional view of the link separator taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational, cross-sectional view taken along line 33 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational, cross-sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram for an electrical circuit controlling the link separator.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the link separator comprises a generally rectangular hollow housing 11 defining front and rear walls 12 and 13 respectively and end walls 14 and respectively. There is a flat top platform 16 mounted on the housing 11 and a bottom 17.

Frankfurters or similar articles linked together in a chain are fed along the top platform 16 from end wall 14 towards end wall 15.

Frankfurters are introduced through a guide mechanism 18 mounted on the top platform 16. The guide mechanism 18 comprises a pair of generally upstanding flanges 19 and 20 converging in the direction of movement of the frankfurters. A plurality of elongated idler rollers 21, 21 are horizontally mounted between the flanges 18 and 19. Structural stiffening members 22 increase rigidity. A pair of spaced apart vertical guide rollers 23, '23 are positioned at the mouth of the guide mechanism anda second pair of vertical guide. rollers 24, 24

are mounted at the throat thereof.

A pair of parallel, spaced apart, generally upstanding flanges 25 and 26 extend from the throat of the guide mechanism 18 in the direction of movement of the frankfurters. A plurality of guide rollers 27, 27 are horizontally mounted between the flanges 25 and 26.

The top platform 16 is provided with a transverse slot 28 which constitutes a severing station. The slot 28 extends perpendicularly across the downstream ends .of the flanges 25 and 26. A rotary knife 29 mounted beneath the platform 16 rotates in the plane of the slot 28 and across the ends of the flanges 25 and 26. The structure and control of the knife 29 will be described in greater detail hereafter.

The frankfurters are fed by means of a pair of spaced apart, power driven feed rollers 30, 31'which lie immediately above the flanges 25 and 26. Frankfurters are discharged by means of ,a pair of power driven, spaced apart discharge wheels 32 and 33 mounted on the downstream side of the cutting station. Each of the feed wheels 30 and 31 is fabricated of rubber and has a slightly concave peripheral edge 34. The discharge wheels 32 and 33 are of a similar construction having a concave peripheral edge 35. Each of the respective pairs of wheels 30 and 31 and 32 and 33 are normally spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of the frankfurter or other article to pass therebetween.

The feed wheels 30 and 31 are mounted on drive shafts 36 and 37 respectively which extend downwardly through slots 38 and 39 respectively in the top platform 16. The shafts 36 and 37 are carried by pivotal housings 40 and 41 which are in turnpivotally mounted to drive shafts 42 and 43.

The drive shafts 42 and 43 respectively carry worm gears 44 and 45 which are interengaged to wheels respectively 46 and 47 keyed to the bottom of shafts 36 and 37. Thus, shafts 42 and 43 respectively drive feed wheels 30 and 31. Shafts 42 and 43 are in turn driven by motor 48 having an output shaft 49 coupled through sheaves 50 and 51 to shaft 43 and through a similar gear arrangement to shaft 42. Shafts 42 and 43 contrarotate so that feed wheels 30 and 31 also contra-rotate to generate translational movement in the frankfurters or similar articles passing therebetween.

In similar fashion, discharge wheels 32 and 33 are mounted to shafts 52 and 53 respectively which extend downwardly through the top platform 16 of the housing 11. Unlike the feed wheels 30 and 31, only one of the discharge wheels 32 and 33 is of a floating character. Shaft 52 upon which discharge wheel 32 is mounted is vertically rigid whereas shaft 53 upon which discharge wheel 33 is mounted is carried by housing 54 which is in turn pivotally mounted to drive shaft 43.

A worm 55 on drive shaft 42 is engaged with a wheel 56 on the bottom of vertical shaft 52. Similarly, a Worm 57 on drive shaft 43 is engaged to wheel 58 keyed to the bottom of shaft 53 driving discharge wheel 33. As in 'thecase' of the feed wheels 30 and 31 discharge wheels 32 and 33 contra-rotate to generate a longitudinal movement in the frankfurters passing therebetween.

Shafts 36 and 37 carrying feed wheels 30 and 31 are vertically pivotal and are biased to each other by spring 59. As a result, feed wheels 30 and 31 are horizontally resiliently deflectable to accommodate for irregularities in the shape and dimension of frankfurters. In addition, both'feed wheels 30 and 31 may move simultaneously in a horizontal plane'to adjust for horizontal displacement of the path of movement of the frankfurters.

Discharge wheel 32 is horizontally undeflectable whereas discharge wheel 33 is horizontally deflectable under the influence of spring 60 which is engaged between the housing 54 and an anchor 61. The horizontal deflectability of discharge wheel 33 is adapted to accommodate for irregularities in the shape and dimension of frankfurters. However, the undeflectable character of discharge wheel 32 is to provide opposition to horizontal deflection of the frankfurters under the influence of the cutting knife 29 as it severs the joining segments.

Operation of the cutting knife 29 is controlled by a photocell 62 and the light source 63 on opposite sides of the path of movement of the frankfurters. The photocell and light source combination is positionedimmediately upstream from the cutting station and adjacent to the leading edge of the slot 28 in the platform 16. The photocell and light source combination is horizontally adjustable in the direction of movement of the .frankfurters to accommodate for small variations in axial movement of the frankfurters. In order to accomplish this the photocell 62 and light source 63 are mounted to a strip 64 which is secured to the platform 16 by means of a pair of tieing members 65 and 66. Each tieing member 65 and 66 is secured to the platform 16 by a fixed screw 67, 68 and thumb screws 69 and 70.

The photocell 62 generates a signal which controls the operation of the knife 29. The knife 29 comprises a blade 71 mounted on an elongated rectangular arm 72 which is keyed to rotation of ashaft 73. The shaft 73 is keyed to a sprocket 74 driven by a chain 75. The chain 75'is in turn driven by another sprocket 76 keyed to a power driven shaft 77. The shaft 77 is coupled to the output of a mechanical clutch-break 78 which is driven by a chain 79 coupled to a sprocket connected to the drive shaft 43. The clutch engages when cam 80, which is coupled thereto, is released.

In order to govern precisely the arc of rotation of the knife 29, it is necessary to provide the clutch-break 78 with the cam 80 which has a pair of opposed, abrupt discontinuities 81 and 82 defining stops.

A'solenoid 83 is mounted radially with respect to the cam 80 having an armature 84 which is adapted to ride the cam 80 and to engage the stops 81 and 82 fixing the beginning and ending position of the cam 80. This in turn precisely determines the arc of rotation of the knife29 during each rotation.

In order to precisely position vertical alignment of the frankfurters when passing between the feed wheels 30 and 31 and in particular the frankfurter as it passes the cutting station at the slot 28, there is provided an adjustable leaf spring 85. Leaf spring 85 is mounted to a support,86 extending between the tops of the vertical guide rollers 24-24. An adjustment screw mounting member 87 is mounted to the support 86 and flares upwardly away from the leaf spring 85. A thumb screw 88 is threadably engaged in a transverse threaded bore in the mounting member 87 and extends downwardly to engage the top of the leaf spring 85. By adjusting the position of the thumb screw 88, the lowermost position of the frankfurter engaging end 89 of the leaf spring 85 may be vertically adjusted. The end 89 of the leaf spring 85 compresses the frankfurter between it and roller 27 mounted between upstanding flanges 25 and 26 as well as roller 90 mounted on the opposite side of the slot 28. A raised platform 91 is mounted on the top 16 of the housing 11 beneath the discharge wheels 32 and 33 to provide some vertical support for frankfurters passing therethrough.

A transparent arcuate shield 92 is hingedly mounted to the platform 16. The shield 92 is engageable with a lever 93 which is hingedly mounted to a vertical support engaged to the light source 63. When the shield 92 is open, the lever 93 falls downwardly under the influence gravity to cover the light source 63 deactivating the apparatus.

In operation, the main power switch 94 is actuated to energize the motor 48 as well as the control circuit illustrated in FIG. 6. The photocell and light source combination is energized by a power amplifier 95 which has an internal relay 96. Power from the main switch 94 passes through a diode 97 to resistor 98 to terminals on the relay 96 in the power amplifier 95. Power passes through the said terminals on the relay 96 to capacitor 99 thereby charging the capacitor.

When a joining segment passes between the photocell 62 and light source 63 the relay 96 is actuated, passing current through an appropriate resistor 100 to a gate 101 of an SCR circuit 102. The SCR circuit 102 fires thereby permitting discharge of the capacitor 99 through the coil 103 of the solenoid 83 governing rotation of the knife 29. Knife 29 is then released to move under the influence of the mechanical breakclutch 78.

As soon as the joining segment passes from between the photocell 62 and light source 63, relay 96 returns to its original position recharging capacitor 99.

The foregoing description is merely intended to illustrate an embodiment of the invention. The component parts have been shown and described. They each may have substitutes which may perfonn a substantially similar function; such substitutes may be known as proper substitutes for the said components and may have actually been known or invented before the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A link separator comprising,

a. means for drive-feeding to a severing station a chain of articles joined together by joining segments having light interruption characteristics significantly less than the articles,

b. a photocell and opposed light source proximal to the severing station on the emergent side of the feeding means,

c. an elongated radial knife at the cutting station rotatable in a plane generally perpendicular to and extending through each successive joining segment,

d. drive means for the knife,

e. control means for the drive means actuated in response to a signal from the photocell, the control means generating only one rotation of the knife for each joining segment through a constant, fixed arc, and the response of the knife being timed to the axial velocity of the articles to sever the chain at each joining segment, g. means for drive-discharging severed articles from the severing station, and means for governing the vertical position of the articles proximal to the severing station including lower support means and an upper, vertically opposed finger spaced apart from the support means between which finger and support means the articles pass. 2. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which b. the control means includes a cam in the drive for the knife, the cam having at least one abrupt stop, and c. means for engaging and disengaging the stop to release and arrest rotation of the knife responsive to a signal generated by the photocell.

3. A link separator comprising,

a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which b. the means for feeding the said chain are a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, contra-rotating driven feed wheels,

c. each of the feed wheels being horizontally deflectable generally normal to the path of movement of the articles.

4. A link separator comprising,

a. the structure in accordance with claim 3 and b. resilient means normally urging the feed wheels toward each other.

5. A link separator comprising,

a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which b. the means for discharging the articles are a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, contra-rotating driven discharge wheels, c. the discharge wheel on the side of the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the knife being horizontally resiliently deflectable.

6. A link separator comprising,

a. the structure in accordance with claim 4 in which b. the means for discharging the articles are a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, contra-rotating driven discharge wheels,

c. the discharge wheel on the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the knife being horizontally resiliently deflectable.

7. A link separator comprising,

a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which b. the photocell and light source are movably adjustable with respect to the severing station in the direction of movement of the articles.

8. A link separator comprising,

a. the structure in accordance with claim 6 in which b. the photocell and light source are movably adjustable with respect to the severing station in the direction of movement of the articles.

9. A link separator comprising,

a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 b. a first pair of spaced apart, generally upstanding rollers on the side of the said feeding means opposite the severing station, and

c. a second pair of spaced-apart, generally upstanding rollers intermediate the first said pair of rollers and the feeding means, the second said pair being spaced closer together than the second said pair, the second said pair being proximal to the said feeding means.

10. A link separator comprising,

a. the structure in accordance with claim 6 and b. means for governing the vertical position of the articles proximal to the severing station,

c. a first pair of opposed, spaced-apart, generally upstanding rollers on the side of the said feeding means opposite the severing station, and

d. a second pair of opposed, spaced-apart, generally upstanding rollers intermediate the first said pair of rollers and the feeding means, the second said pair being spaced closer together than the second said pair, the second said pair being proximal to the said feeding means. 

1. A link separator comprising, a. means for drive-feeding to a severing station a chain of articles joined together by joining segments having light interruption characteristics significantly less than the articles, b. a photocell and opposed light source proximal to the severing station on the emergent side of the feeding means, c. an elongated radial knife at the cutting station rotatable in a plane generally perpendicular to and extending through each successive joining segment, d. drive means for the knife, e. control means for the drive means actuated in response to a signal from the photocell, the control means generating only one rotation of the knife for each joining segment through a constant, fixed arc, and f. the response of the knife being timed to the axial velocity of the articles to sever the chain at each joining segment, g. means for drive-discharging severed articles from the severing station, and h. means for governing the vertical position of the articles proximal to the severing station including lower support means and an upper, vertically opposed finger spaced apart from the support means between which finger and support means the articles pass.
 2. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which b. the control means includes a cam in the drive for the knife, the cam having at least one abrupt stop, and c. means for engaging and disengaging the stop to release and arrest rotation of the knife responsive to a signal generated by the photocell.
 3. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which b. the means for feeding the said chain are a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, contra-rotating driven feed wheels, c. each of the feed wheels being horizontally deflectable generally normal to the path of movement of the articles.
 4. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 3 and b. resilient means normally urging the feed wheels toward each other.
 5. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which b. the means for discharging the articles are a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, contra-rotating driven discharge wheels, c. the discharge wheel on the side of the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the knife being horizontally resiliently deflectable.
 6. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 4 in which b. the means for discharging the articles are a pair of opposed, spaced-apart, contra-rotating driven discharge wheels, c. the discharge wheel on the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the knife being horizontally resiliently deflectable.
 7. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 in which b. the photocell and light source are movably adjustable with respect to the severing station in the direction of movement of the articles.
 8. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 6 in which b. the photocell and light source are movably adjustable with respect to the severing station in the direction of movement of the articles.
 9. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 1 b. a first pair of spaced apart, generally upstanding rollers on the side of the said feeding means opposite the severing station, and c. a second pair of spaced-apart, generally upstanding rollers intermediate the first said pair of rollers and the feeding means, the second said pair being spaced closer together than the second said pair, the second said pair being proximal to the said feeding means.
 10. A link separator comprising, a. the structure in accordance with claim 6 and b. means for governing the vertical position of the articles proximal to the severing station, c. a first pair of opposed, spaced-apart, generally upstanding rollers on the side of the said feeding means opposite the severing station, and d. a second pair of opposed, spaced-apart, generally upstanding rollers intermediate the first said pair of rollers and the feeding means, the second said pair being sPaced closer together than the second said pair, the second said pair being proximal to the said feeding means. 